The sleepy coastal city of Monterey might appear peaceful and serene but it is no stranger to drama, particularly for a gaggle of women. It runs the gamut from child birthday party squabbles to rape. Throw in a murder mystery and you have HBO's critically acclaimed Big Little Lies, based on Liane Moriarty's novel. Initially touted as a miniseries, the Emmy darling was renewed for a second season with Meryl Streep coming aboard as a grieving mother on the quest for answers. What more can you ask for? Except maybe Fleetwood Mac signing the theme song. Aside from being an addictive piece of television, many of the locations for the series are breathtaking and were immediately added to my to-do list. I tried to hit as many as I could with excursions to LA and the Bay Area last fall.
Big Little Lies is filmed in Monterey, Carmel, Malibu, Pasadena, Calabasas, Brentwood and Pacific Grove, CA
Location: Bixby Creek Bridge
One of the most iconic locations from the series, The Bixby Creek Bridge is also one of the most photographed bridges in The Golden State. Located in Big Sur, the bridge opened in 1932. I didn't make it down to the bridge on my last trip, but I did visit on a road trip from yesteryear. Turned out I got a pretty good matching shot!
Location: Blue Blues Restaurant
Address: 101 Washington Street, Monterey, CA Old Fisherman's Wharf
The Paluca Trattoria served as the inspiration for cafe the ladies frequent and was constructed as a set on the show's soundstages...
Location: Madeline & Ed's House
Address: 30760 Broad Beach Road, Malibu, CA
This was also the Trancas Beach House on Models Inc. (1994-1995)
Location: Celeste & Perry's House
Address: 40 Yankee Point Drive, Carmel, CA
If these walls could talk...
Location: Jane's House
Address: 161 North Chester Avenue, Pasadena, CA
Location: Jane's Jogging Route
Address: Garrapata State Park, Carmel, CA
I didn't find the exact spot as I was in a race against time before the sun set, but you get the idea...
Location: Jane's Beach
Address: Del Monte Beach, Monterey, CA
Poor Jane's always running, which is difficult to do on sand. But the view is spectacular...
Season 1, Episode 2: "Serious Mothering"
Location: Ed & Nathan's Talk
Address: Lovers Point, Pacific Grove, Monterey, CA
Season 1, Episode 4: "Push Comes To Shove"
Location: Monterey City Hall
Address: 570 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA Colton Hall Museum
Location: Jane's Rape Motel
Address: 2600 Sand Dunes Drive, Monterey, CA Monterey Tides
Location: Celeste's New Apartment
Address: 1 Surf Way, Monterey, CA
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Locations Visited: July 2004, March 2016, October 2018